Ortonville- As people around the world face despair so great they would risk their own lives and those of their children, citizens of this community are invited to come together to pray for them and for people everywhere, whatever their struggles.
International Day of Peace is this Monday. From 1-5 p.m., Sept. 20-21, the Old Town Hall, 486 Mill St., will be open for the community to gather and pray or meditate. At 3 p.m., Sunday, an ecumenical prayer service will be held outside the town hall, following CROP Walk.
‘Anyone, no matter what religion, is invited to join,? said Karyn Milligan, St. Anne Christian Services coordinator. ‘This is to pray for peace for everybody. It’s especially devastating what the refugees (fleeing Syria and other war-torn countries) are going through. It’s heartbreaking that people flee their homes and carry their children for days and days and days without water and food to get away from the violence. The endurance of the human spirit is way beyond anything we are capable of understanding, how some people can make it through such conditions.?
This is the second year Milligan has organized recognition of the International Day of Peace in the village. She hopes that area residents who are moved to do so will sign a peace book and take a moment to reflect on fallen soldiers who have fought for peace on our own soil as well as foreign soil and to continue to pray for comfort and peace for all who are in need.
For more information on International Day of Peace, call Karyn at 248-627-3965 or visit http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/